Stonewall Columbus’
Patron of Pride – 2023
Caleb Mikayla Goins Robinson
In the early morning hours on June 28, 1969, it is said that Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera symbolically launched the LGBTQ+ Pride movement when they, and their counterparts, fought back against continued police brutality—they were fed up. They were fed up with having their community’s humanity, livelihoods, and lives taken away in public sight.
One unexpected morning Johnson and Rivera became special guardians—patrons of Pride!
Our shared experiences as LGBTQ+ identities unite us in our story, and it should be our individual right for happiness that binds us in our fight for equity and equality. At our core each of us wants to be seen as valued individuals who are part of a larger community; a community that if not embraces at least respects our individuality.
Stonewall Columbus’ Patron of Pride is an individual who has fought to ensure the community is not only present but seen, simply by living their truth—out loud and proud.
Caleb Mikalyla was part of The Trans Visibility Project that was recognized as Stonewall’s 2022 Leaders of Pride. In the winter of 2022 Goins Robinson was part of a group that was protested because they simply aimed to read stories to children at a community church. And while it may seem that in 2022 Caleb Mikayla was being noticed for simply being who they are—they’ve been being Caleb Mikayla and making an impact in the community well before 2022.
An advocate in the LGBTQ+ health equity space, a community educator, and a drag entertainer. Caleb Mikayla Goins Robinson is a recognized, and awarded, drag pageant queen—in and out of state.
Caleb feels that telling the story of their experience living with HIV is the best way to effect change when it comes to both public awareness and local, state and national legislation.
In 2018, they helped establish Ohio’s first community center for young LGBT people of color.
https://stonewallcolumbus.org/pride/pride2022/patron-of-pride-2022/
